The basement library of Fraein's house had officially bee Raizel's sed home.

  Not by choice.

  He just found himself here often—half because it was quiet, half because the rest of the world was loud and annoying.

  Currently, he was flipping through yet another book on unknown supernatural history, skimming past ridiculous theories, eborate spiracies, and at least one paragraph that suggested vampires might actually be gover experiments.

  Creative.

  Vampires. Werewolves. Shapeshifters. Banshees. Ghosts. Witches...

  The entire supernatural franchise had apparently decided to do a crossover event and fot to inform him.

  Holy, he wasn't even mad. Just vaguely disappointed.

  With a sigh, he leaned ba his chair, resting his on his hand.

  Should he be ed?

  …Nah.

  If anything, this just made things more iing.

  It wasn't every day that o to live inside a paranormal soap opera.

  But was it just Noblesse and Twilight?

  His brows furrowed slightly. If that was the case, then how disappointing.

  It wasn't that he had anything against Forks' local vegetarian vampires, but surely there was something more out there.

  It wasn't that he had anything against Forks' local vegetarian vampires and puppies, but if he was going to be stuck here, he expected at least one major supernatural crisis, not some love drama. Maybe an a vampire awakening. A secret anization hunting monsters. Something to keep things from getting dull.

  Speaking of which—

  His thoughts naturally drifted to Fraein.

  His ever-reliable butler/stist/bodyguard/financial sponsor (whether willingly or not) had been off tely.

  More tired. More distracted.

  And Raizel—being the ever-observant, ever-siderate person that he was—had pletely failed to ask about it.

  Oops.

  At that moment, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway reached his ears.

  Fraein was back.

  Slowly, Raizel closed the book in his hands, sliding it bato the shelf.

  Time to iigate.

  Though, in all hoy, his idea of iigation mostly involved standing in Fraein's personal spad staring at him until he fessed whatever was wrong.

  Fwless strategy.

  He asded the stairs, the library fading behind him as he stepped into the main hall.

  Fraein was just getting out of the car, rubbing his temple like someone who had just survived a long shift.

  Raizel stepped closer. Fraein looked up.

  "Master," he greeted, immediately straightening as if nothing was wrong.

  A bold move, sidering Raizel had eyes.

  "Fraein." His voice was as ral as ever. "You seem… different."

  Fraein blinked. "Do I?"

  "Yes."

  A pause.

  Then, as if realizing there was no point in arguing, Fraein sighed and gave a small, tired smile. "It's nothing, Master. Just work matters."

  Transtion: Human nonsense.

  Raizel stared at him. Fraeihe stare, still smiling politely.

  A full five seds passed.

  "…It's fine now," Fraein assured him.

  A btant lie, but Raizel was too polite to say so.

  Instead, he nodded. "I see."

  Then, with perfect casual indifference—

  "I'm going out."

  Fraein's smile didn't ge, but Raizel could feel the disapproval radiating off him. "At this hour, Master?"

  "Yes."

  "Shall I.....?"

  "No."

  Fraein nodded.

  Raizel nodded.

  They both knew Fraein was going to follow him anyway.

  So, naturally, Raizel ig and walked out.

  The Destination?

  Port Angeles.

  He had discovered a library there online, and curiosity—not boredom, definitely not boredom—had vinced him to check it out.

  It was supposedly well-stocked with local myths and legends, and while Forks' supernatural exclusives werely thrilling, he figured it wouldn't hurt to expand his knowledge.

  Worst case sario, he'd get a nap out of it.

  Best case sario?

  He might actually find something worth his time.

  Either way, it was better than sitting around doing nothing.